GEOTHERMAL ENERGY

Energy from the Earths Core

GEOTHERMAL ENERGY

Energy from the Earths Core

How Geothermal Energy Is Formed

The Earths hot core creates lava and heats the Earths crust, which is made up of many different types of rocks and also water.Then A well drilles two miles deep into the Earths surface takes the rising hot water and steam.Then the hot steam rises to the surface and pushes a turbine, which rotates a generator.Then generator produces electricity and sends it to power lines, which brings electricity to homes and businesses.

Geothermal Energy Fun Facts

The word geothermal comes from the Greek words geo (earth) and thermal (heat)

The Earths core is hotter than the sun’s surface!

Geothermal energy is a found in underground reservoirs, but also rises to the Earth’s surface in the form of volcanoes, hot springs and geysers.Geothermal energy is a reliable source of renewable energy because it is generated continuously throughout the day and night , Because the Earth’s soil stays at a constant 50°or 60°F, geothermal heat pumps can be used to heat or cool buildings.

The United States is the leader in geothermal power generation, with geothermal power plants in seven states.

Geothermal energy is the main energy source in Iceland.

Geothermal produces about 0.4% of the energy used in the United States

Geothermal Energy Facts

The technology behind geothermal electricity generation has improved substantially but it still only provides a fraction of world electricity generation.

Geothermal power is clean, reliable and cost effective but its availability is often limited to areas near tectonic plate boundaries.

Geothermal power plants in the Philippines and Iceland contribute around 30% of their electricity production. In the USA it is less than 1%.

As of 2010, 24 countries around the world use geothermal power to generate electricity while around 70 use it for various forms of heating.